Getting to Know the Harbinger

The Harbinger's Surprise

To Aela's surprise, and slight disappointment, Farkas mostly left her alone for the rest of her heat... he would come to her room once all the whelps had gone to sleep to give her a long, passionate goodnight kiss, but then he'd retreat to his own room in a hurry, leaving Aela feeling restless, wanting, and lonely before going out for yet another hunt alone.
When her heat did pass however, her mind was clearer and she was considerably relieved she hadn't done anything stupid... she was actually grateful to Farkas for keeping his distance for a few days...
But as well as Farkas had been able to smell her in heat, he knew when she wasn't anymore too, and to Aela's delight, the first thing he did was to ask her if he could hunt with her.

Vilkas and Kaya had settled into a bit of a routine of taking all of their jobs together, and as far as Aela could tell they weren't making any efforts to hide their attraction to each other. Aela couldn't remember the last time she'd seen Vilkas look so happy... it made her happy just to see them... and it made her wonder if she and Farkas were that obvious...
Farkas steadily transitioned to his own new routine... he hunted with her almost every night now... sometimes even in beast form... but usually, they stayed human. Aela actually began to take comfort in simply sitting with him beside the fire cooking and cleaning their kill, and just talking.
She was still trying to figure out when and how to tell him that she loved him too... she was coming to realize she was really bad at talking about her feelings... she hoped Farkas could simply tell... that he could pick up on her feelings just from the way she kissed him, or that she chose not to use her beast form most nights... but she knew she'd eventually need to figure out how to actually say it...

Then one afternoon, Vilkas and Kaya came back from yet another job, and Aela could smell they were both practically giddy... she'd never seen Vilkas look so happy... it was hard to believe this was the same as the grumpy, brooding man she'd known all these years.
They had walked in the front doors, holding hands, and then Vilkas kissed her, in front of everyone, before dragging Farkas off to their rooms claiming he had something important to discuss with him.
As the brothers disappeared downstairs, the Harbinger took a seat at the table to get some food. She looked to be simply beaming with joy.
"So..." Njada began with raised eyebrows, "there's a trip to Riften coming up I take it?"
Leave it to Njada to be the blunt, nosey one, Aela thought with a smirk.
"Possibly," Kaya answered with a grin as she reached for a mug of ale and didn't elaborate.
"Oh please," Njada chuckled, "Nords don't show that much public affection unless they're serious."
"Ooh! Did he get an amulet of Mara?" Ria asked excitedly before Kaya could reply, "how did he propose?"
"That's enough you two," Aela cut in with a smirk, "the Harbinger's business is her own... although, I don't think I've ever seen Vilkas smile that much."
Kaya smiled as she put her mug down, "I actually got the amulet of Mara," she admitted, "I was planning to ask him."
"Brave woman..." Torvar commented sounding impressed... Aela was surprised he was paying attention.
"I just figured he might think it wasn't his place to ask with me being the Harbinger," Kaya shrugged, "but then he kind of caught me with the amulet and beat me to the proposal..."
"Ooooh!! How did he propose?" Ria asked again, "was it sweet and poetic or was it the typical blunt and demanding Vilkas?"
Kaya burst out laughing at that. "I mean, I'd definitely consider it 'typical Vilkas' but it was sweet."
"You definitely know a side of Vilkas we don't," Njada said with her eyebrow raised skeptically.
"I mean, if she's marrying him I'd hope so," Athis retorted.
Kaya just laughed more at that.
"Well, I'm glad the old grump is finally happy," Ria smiled.
"Maybe he'll go easier on us in training now," Torvar grumbled hopefully.
"Not on your life," Kaya laughed.
Aela just smiled quietly. She was happy for them.